From the Daily Express
Thursday May 8,2008
By Niall Hickman
JUNIOR WITTER is convinced it will happen, the rest of the nation wants it to happen – but one person is standing in the way of making it happen.
Witter is adamant Ricky Hatton will agree to fight him “either later this year or early next”. But in the meantime, Bradford’s WBC world light-welterweight champion must defend his crown against the unbeaten American Tim Bradley.
Witter fights Bradley in Nottingham on Saturday but, as usual, the talk quickly gets round to the ‘Hitman’.
“The people I feel most sorry for are my pals,” said Witter. “Every time I go out I can see my mates being asked by everyone, ‘Is that Junior Witter? And when is he fighting Ricky Hatton?’
In Boxing News every week there are letters saying ‘why is this fight not happening’? I’ll tell you why. Because, so far, Ricky hasn’t wanted it, simple as that
“It is all I ever hear about. In Boxing News every week there are letters saying ‘why is this fight not happening’? I’ll tell you why. Because, so far, Ricky hasn’t wanted it, simple as that.
“I am convinced that will change though. The pressure Ricky is under to take that fight is growing all the time and fans know I would take it in a heartbeat. He has nowhere left to go.
“Ricky says I don’t sell as many tickets but if you put that fight on you wouldn’t be able to build a stadium big enough. He knows it would be an instant sell-out – even at Wembley.”
In the short term Witter has to negotiate a way past Bradley, who is young, fast and unbeaten – all factors which suggest the clash should be a cracker.
“I’ve got to put on a show,” said the Briton. “ITV are broadcasting it to millions of people, so it is a great chance for me to showcase my talents. Bradley has got fast hands and he is only 24, so he will come to fight. But the punch that knocked out Vivian Harris in my last fight will tell Bradley that I can do the same to him.
“I also took a few shots against Harris, which will indicate to Bradley that I can take it as well as dish it out.”
Witter, 34, certainly delivered in style last year with his emphatic dismantling of former world champion Harris.
But when winning the title against DeMarcus Corley two years ago, he was majestic for the first six rounds, moribund for the last six. It was Witter in a nutshell: capable of brilliance one minute, boring the next.
He has a tendency to fight in spurts but, during the Harris clash, Witter kept his foot on the pedal for seven solid rounds and eventually caught up with his opponent with arguably the best knockout punch seen all year in a British ring.
“It was a great shot,” said Witter. “It told a lot of people who doubted me that I was the real thing. I put him on his backside in the fourth and finished him off in the seventh. It was a great feeling.
With Britain having lost its hold on three world titles in recent weeks after defeats for Enzo Maccarinelli, Gavin Rees and Clinton Woods, Witter vows he will stop the rot.
“For whatever reason Clinton froze [against Antonio Tarver in the USA]. It won’t happen to me. When Bradley tastes my power, he will go down,” said Witter.
“A big knockout would only bring a Hatton fight nearer to reality. British fans want to see who is the superior fighter and, with everyone demanding it, I’m sure it’ll go ahead.”
WITTER’S STILL PUNCHY OVER HATTON BOUT
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sharpei_louis
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 644
- Joined: 22 Nov 2007, 08:30
There has been a lot of talk on this subject, but finally I think Junior has come across in a way which is confident but not arrogant... he sounds as though he's not slagging Hatton, just showing that he's ready and willing to make the fight and hopeful that Hatton will have a change of heart. In tandem with his terrestrial tv fight on saturday this is good work from his camp, if he can stop Bradley in 7-8 in an exciting fight I am more optimistic that the Hatton matchup will happen.
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DG.
- Heavyweight
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Peter Hick
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 82
- Joined: 08 Dec 2007, 14:00
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DG.
- Heavyweight
The rest of Hatton's career is already virtually mapped out. It's Lazcano, Malignaggi, Floyd 2/Pacquiao and then, maybe, to end his career with the biggest payday left, Witter.
The Witter fight could happen even after a second pasting from Floyd, but there are so many other variables involved which could prevent it from happening, eg.: Witter could lose to Bradley (unlikely) and/or Hatton could lose to Paulie (I see this fight only 60-40 in Hatton's favour).
Thie fight will happen only when there's nowhere more lucrative left for Hatton to go - which means a second Mayweather fight has to take place first. The earliest date for a Witter fight would be autumn 2009.
The Witter fight could happen even after a second pasting from Floyd, but there are so many other variables involved which could prevent it from happening, eg.: Witter could lose to Bradley (unlikely) and/or Hatton could lose to Paulie (I see this fight only 60-40 in Hatton's favour).
Thie fight will happen only when there's nowhere more lucrative left for Hatton to go - which means a second Mayweather fight has to take place first. The earliest date for a Witter fight would be autumn 2009.
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Rocky Balboa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1851
- Joined: 24 Jan 2004, 16:38
Time & again Witter has made his view on fighting Hatton known. Whether you like Junior or not, he's willing to box Hatton.
If the 'old time fighters' could hear some of the excuses Ricky has made for not boxing Witter, they would it was pathetic. I'm a fan of both guys, but Ricky's excuses are feeble at best!
It's clear Witter/Hatton do not like each other, so the best way to settle the score is to face each other.
As much as I, & the majority of boxing fans want the fight, I cannot see it ever materialising. It will go down as an opportunity missed I'm afraid!
If the 'old time fighters' could hear some of the excuses Ricky has made for not boxing Witter, they would it was pathetic. I'm a fan of both guys, but Ricky's excuses are feeble at best!
It's clear Witter/Hatton do not like each other, so the best way to settle the score is to face each other.
As much as I, & the majority of boxing fans want the fight, I cannot see it ever materialising. It will go down as an opportunity missed I'm afraid!
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WildWaylon
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 3223
- Joined: 02 Nov 2005, 13:35
I agree with most of your post but I feel a 2nd beating by Mayweather and Hatton will quit. A loss to Malignaggi and there wouldnt be a 2nd Mayweather fight. I really do believe Hatton will go when he loses again. With that scenario the clash with Witter looks very unlikely. He would therefore have to beat Lazcano, Malignaggi and PBF which is very unlikely before a fight with Witter would be possible. If he did somehow manage to beat PBF he would likely hang his gloves up with the arguement that he had nothing left to prove, and although dissapointed the Witter fight didnt come off, many would agree with him. Hatton wont fight Witter, not unless Witter became shot overnight which is unlikely. If Witter was to lose this or his next fight the calls for Hatton to face Witter would stop anyway.chesh wrote:The rest of Hatton's career is already virtually mapped out. It's Lazcano, Malignaggi, Floyd 2/Pacquiao and then, maybe, to end his career with the biggest payday left, Witter.
The Witter fight could happen even after a second pasting from Floyd, but there are so many other variables involved which could prevent it from happening, eg.: Witter could lose to Bradley (unlikely) and/or Hatton could lose to Paulie (I see this fight only 60-40 in Hatton's favour).
Thie fight will happen only when there's nowhere more lucrative left for Hatton to go - which means a second Mayweather fight has to take place first. The earliest date for a Witter fight would be autumn 2009.
Good point, Waylon - win or lose against Mayweather, he probably won't fight Witter. Anyway, let's hope Junior keeps doing his bit and wins tonight!WildWaylon wrote:I agree with most of your post but I feel a 2nd beating by Mayweather and Hatton will quit. A loss to Malignaggi and there wouldnt be a 2nd Mayweather fight. I really do believe Hatton will go when he loses again. With that scenario the clash with Witter looks very unlikely. He would therefore have to beat Lazcano, Malignaggi and PBF which is very unlikely before a fight with Witter would be possible. If he did somehow manage to beat PBF he would likely hang his gloves up with the arguement that he had nothing left to prove, and although dissapointed the Witter fight didnt come off, many would agree with him. Hatton wont fight Witter, not unless Witter became shot overnight which is unlikely. If Witter was to lose this or his next fight the calls for Hatton to face Witter would stop anyway.chesh wrote:The rest of Hatton's career is already virtually mapped out. It's Lazcano, Malignaggi, Floyd 2/Pacquiao and then, maybe, to end his career with the biggest payday left, Witter.
The Witter fight could happen even after a second pasting from Floyd, but there are so many other variables involved which could prevent it from happening, eg.: Witter could lose to Bradley (unlikely) and/or Hatton could lose to Paulie (I see this fight only 60-40 in Hatton's favour).
Thie fight will happen only when there's nowhere more lucrative left for Hatton to go - which means a second Mayweather fight has to take place first. The earliest date for a Witter fight would be autumn 2009.